Briefs

December 15, 2005|STAFF REPORTS

ROSELAND

Council postpones officer decision

The Roseland Town Council will delay any disciplinary action it may take against an officer, Lt. Craig Toner, who was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of domestic battery. He has been charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Town Council President Dorothy Snyder said Toner told the council he has pleaded not guilty to the charge. Last week, police Capt. Larry Miller, who is interim marshal, recommended to the council that Toner be reprimanded for "conduct unbecoming an officer" because of the incident in Elkhart involving Toner and his live-in girlfriend, Paula Fife. Fife was also arrested in connection with the incident. The Town Council met in executive session Wednesday to discuss the incident with Toner and Miller. Afterward, the board announced its decision during a special meeting. ELKHART

Police investigate toddler's death

Police are investigating the death of a 16-month-old Elkhart toddler who was found dead in her crib Wednesday. The parents of Elizabeth G. Carroll of Merry Drive discovered their daughter wasn't breathing about 4:15 a.m. The child could not be resuscitated, according to Elkhart County police spokesman Trevor Wendzonka. Elkhart County Coroner Jeff Landrum said a Wednesday afternoon autopsy revealed that at this point, the child died of natural causes. But Landrum added that the investigation is continuing. SOUTH BEND

Sexual assault of girl under investigation

Police are investigating a sexual assault case in which a 51-year-old man is alleged to have molested a 7-year-old girl in a home on North Cushing Street, police said. The mother of the victim told police she found the suspect in a makeshift bed with her daughter in an upstairs room about 7 p.m. Monday, according to the police report. The victim was transported to a local hospital to have a rape kit performed, police said.